Cape Otway lessons inform state koala plan

A NEW Victorian koala protection plan says Cape Otway’s marsupial population will require intensive management in coming years, but the region’s successful management practices could be replicated elsewhere.

The state government has released a draft Victorian Koala Management Strategy, aimed at conserving koalas and their habitats in response to new threats including climate change and extreme weather events.

The plan references the Cape Otway koala population, which has been among the most troubling for state authorities in recent decades due to the animals overeating manna gum eucalyptus leaves and destroying their own habitat.

Favourable conditions saw the area’s local population grow rapidly from 75 koalas introduced in 1981 to around 20 per hectare by the mid-2010s, more than 10-times a sustainable level.

The overpopulation caused almost 500 hectares of manna gum woodland loss and a crisis that resulted in the euthanising of 1,400 koalas and hundreds more dying due to starvation.

State authorities have since implemented preventative measures such as translocation, health checks and fertility control, which they believe could be guide future management across the state.

Koalas are listed as endangered across the eastern seaboard in Queensland, the ACT and New South Wales, but are not threatened in Victoria.

The state report found there were about 460,000 koalas across the state, with 413,000 living in native forest and woodland and 47,000 in eucalypt plantations.

This year’s strategy will update the 2004 plan, and has been developed in collaboration with Traditional Owners, scientists, wildlife workers and government agencies.

“Koalas are one of our most loved species, known all over the world over as a symbol of Australia’s unique wildlife,” Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said.

“This strategy will guide how we conserve and manage Victoria’s koalas into the future.

“This is an opportunity for the Victorian community to have their say and make sure our koala populations and their habitat, are healthy and resilient for future generations.”

Consultation on the draft strategy is open until April 3, with a final strategy due for release in July.